Photo by Marco Beyermann

HOUSE OF PROTECTION - GALORE (Red Bull Records)

It's hard to properly convey the effectiveness of Aric Improta and Stephen Harrison as a creative tandem. The succession of singles on the band's debut EP in "It's Supposed to Hurt", "Learn to Forget", "Being One" and the death-defying "Pulling Teeth" offer some indicator of just how potent the two are combined - but only hint at how convincing they are live.  A masterful meld of stylized rock, hardcore inflection and punk rock posture, Galore captures the rebellion and artistry that bond the two, while emphasizing the start of their own journey as a duo destined for the biggest of stages. 

SILLY GOOSE - BAD BEHAVIOR (Blue Grape Music)

Taking creative cues and style points from the Three Dollar Bill Y'all era of Limp Bizkit, ATL's Silly Goose have gone from viral sensation to practitioners of rap-tinged hard rock that harkens to the heyday of genre-blurring nu-aggression. The band's debut EP on Blue Grape showcaes energized delivery, combined a nu-era aesthetic that pays homage to the sounds, rather than parodies it. A fluid mesh of dynamic bounce, effective heft and raucous rap rock, Silly Goose is on the come up. 

THE JESUS LIZARD - RACK ((pecac Recordings)

The unit of Duane Denison, Mac McNeilly, David Wm. Sims, and David Yow convene for an 11-song masterclass in Rock, the band's first full length studio effort since 1998's Blue and the band's introduction on Ipecac Recordings. While much of the discussion of the record has centered on the band's profound friendship and respect for one another creatively, Rack underscores just how proficient The Jesus Lizard remain as songwriters. After nearly three decades dormant, the band not only bears no signs of rust, but rather have emerged better and more emboldened than ever with 11 songs of genius to prove it. 

ZETRA - SELF-TITLED (Nuclear Blast Records)

A masterful meld of goth aesthetic, ethereal synth, eerie atmospherics and layered instrumentation, Zetra have gone from stylistic outliers with their 2020 debut, to otherworldly alt flagbearers leading the new school. The duo's transcendent, dreary, dreamy universe of ethereal extremity plays out on ten captivating tracks that create an immersive, transportive listening experience. Bolstered by guest spots from Serena Cherry of Svalbard, Gabe Franco of Unfo Others and Icelandic vocalist Sólveig Matthildur, Zetra redefine heavy with an entry that is vast in sound, style and scope. 

156/SILENCE - PEOPLE WATCHING (SharpTone Records)

By all accounts from the band, their fourth full length has been a labor of love that properly punctuates the last nine years of 156/Silence's existence. Opting to work with Jonathan Dolese, the Pittsburgh crew issued their most refined work to date, emphasizing songwriting over spectacle and daring to rope in clean vocals, big melody and measured song dynamics on their most metalcore presentation thus far. While likely received as less menacing than their previous work, People Watching is how 156/Silence prioritize making something memorable instead.